Are You Ready For Some Football? NFL Changes Fair Catch Rule On Kickoffs

(Eagan, MN) — The NFL is making a major rule change on kickoffs. Owners approved a fair catch adjustment which allows the receiving team to start on the 25-yard line, regardless of where the ball is caught. The rule only applies to kickoffs: the offense will continue to start wherever a punt is fair caught. The league has been phasing out “pop-up” kickoffs in an effort to reduce hard hits. Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The data is very clear about the higher rate of injury on that play. We’ve been talking about it for several years.” League executives hope the concussion rate on kickoffs drops by 15-percent with the new change.